THE government will spend $35 million to complete the 3.5 km waterfront promenade around Marina Bay, said the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).
To date, stretches along The Esplanade are already accessible to the public with work underway at One Fullerton to make the promenade there more pedestrian-friendly.
The URA said development will now turn to the waterfront promenade along Marina Bay Sands, Marina Bay Financial Centre, and the Central Promontory site. Completion is targeted for around end-2009.
The design, by Australia's Cox Group, will include a new eco-friendly visitor centre.
The Cox Group also designed the double helix pedestrian bridge linking Bayfront to Marina Centre where the Art Park is also sited.
At a press briefing held yesterday, URA revealed details of the promenade design and this includes plans for the Central Promontory site to be used as an interim event space and public space during national events such as the Marina Bay Countdown.
Currently, it is hosting the Singapore Biennale's Containart Pavilion, designed by Shigeru Ban.
URA also said it will continue to work with other agencies and stakeholders to programme activities on the site.
Another design feature of the Cox Group scheme is a two-tier promenade along the Marina Bay Sands stretch.
This part of the promenade will have a granite-paved upper level promenade and a lower level timber boardwalk with water-taxi landing points and berthing points for boats incorporated.
The lower level boardwalk will include tiered seating and steps that will go down to the water's edge and double as seats for watching events at the bay.
Other design features include interactive misters programmed using a system of sensors that monitor ambient temperature, humidity and movement.
There will also be water jets and specially designed "breeze shelters" that will feature solar-powered fans.
When completed, the 3.5 km waterfront promenade will form part of the longer 11.7 km waterfront route around Marina Reservoir, which will link the Gardens by the Bay, the Marina Barrage and the new Sports Hub.
To date, the government has pumped in more than $4.5 billion to facilitate development of Marina Bay. This includes building the common services tunnel as well as the Marina Barrage.
This article was first published in The Business Times on September 17, 2008.
